The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the new Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Arthur Osei Akoto, to refer all chieftaincy and land-related disputes to him for amicable resolution.
“Such issues are not meant for the police service to deal with, as they fall under my authority to deal with them. If such issues come to your attention, do not hesitate to refer them to me for the necessary action to be taken,” the Asantehene indicated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was speaking when the outgoing regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, accompanied by some officers, called on him at the Manyhia Palace last Wednesday.
Visit
Mr Cudjoe’s visit was to bid the Asantehene farewell after being promoted from DCOP to COP and reassigned to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) at the national headquarters, and also to introduce the new Regional Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto.
Focus
While welcoming DCOP Akoto, the Asantehene advised him to have a good working relationship with other officers to enable him to win the fight against crime in the region.
Also, he charged the new police commander to build upon what his immediate predecessor did, by informing and forwarding all issues of chieftaincy and land to him at the least opportunity for them to be addressed.
“If issues of chieftaincy and land disputes come before me, no matter their severity, it will be resolved amicably between the disputing parties for peace to prevail,” he stated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further urged the police to be vigilant in dealing with criminal activities in the region to enable the residents to feel safe in going about their normal duties, saying “persons engaged in criminal enterprises should be dealt with to safeguard the region’s peace and security”, adding “I implore you to be on the lookout to flush out criminals from the region.”
Land guards
On land guards, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said such a phenomenon was non-existent across the region, and therefore cautioned chiefs against introducing the act and engaging the services of land guards to protect their lands.
“I have already warned that any chief who engages the services of lang guards will face the consequences”, he said, and reiterated that chiefs in dispute over land should refer it to him rather than using land guards.
Further, he urged him not to allow anyone to use his name to undermine the work of the police service in the region, stressing, “I urge you not to allow anyone to use my name to intimidate you in the performance of your duties”.
Gratitude
Speaking through the Manyhia Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Frederick Hammond, COP Cudjoe, expressed gratitude to the Asantehene for his wise counsel during his tenure in the region.
DCOP Akoto sought Otumfuo’s blessings and guidance as he assumes his new portfolio and further expressed his excitement to serve Asanteman after already serving in the police service for the past 34 years.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
